Nutritional and biochemical effects of nutrition programs in the elderly.

The nutritional status of this population of elderly was generally quite good. However, these individuals were interested in the program and able to participate in the program. As age in years increases and the aging process continues, all the factors mentioned earlier may combine to contribute to less frequent or nonattendance and perhaps to deterioration of nutritional status. For example, an 80-year-old may be able to drive to a site, but a 90-year-old may not. Also, the older elderly may be more likely to live alone, with all the disincentives to eat well that living alone may be associated with at any age. Therefore, one cannot assume that all of the old elderly are as adequately nourished as this group. The less well nourished may be those not participating in programs for the elderly. Finally, the data presented here illustrate the need to learn more about the differences between middle-aged elderly and the old elderly, and to better differentiate pathologic from normal aging processes.